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June 9, 2008

Salmonella found in plum, roma and round tomatoes

The thought of a ripe, red tomato may sound pretty good right now, but choose carefully.

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded a warning that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to certain red plum, red roma and red round tomatoes.

The warning does not apply to cherry or grape tomatoes, or to tomatoes still attached to the vine.

Since mid-April, nearly 150 cases of salmonella Saintpaul –– including 23 hospitalizations –– have been reported in states including Connecticut.

According to a statement from the FDA, tomatoes from the following places have not been associated with the outbreak: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico.

Find the updated list of safe tomatoes on the FDA’s Web site.

Salmonellosis is caused by the Salmonella bacteria and can be fatal in the most severe cases.

It can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days and typically clears up on its own.

But in infants, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, the illness –– particularly severe diarrhea –– can require hospitalization.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:41 AM | Permalink

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